Conversation with Samuel Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications and my meditation teacher, Part One

Conversation with Samuel Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications and my meditation teacher, Part One

Author: Susan Piver September 4, 2026 Duration: 15:14
Send us Fan Mail I talk with my longest time spiritual friend, Samuel Bercholz, founder of Shambhala Publications and author of the new book, Rude Awakenings. It was written at the request of his second root teacher, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who asked Sam to write a book containing everything he learned from his first root teacher, the great and mysterious Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. For me, this book lives up to its subtitle: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path. It was written by...

In Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver, ancient wisdom meets the messy reality of modern living. Susan Piver, drawing from three decades as a student of Tibetan Buddhism and her experience guiding the nearly 20,000-member Open Heart Project meditation community, acts as a thoughtful companion rather than a distant teacher. This isn't about scholarly lectures; it's a conversation. You'll hear explorations of foundational concepts-the four noble truths, the six paramitas, and more-but always through the lens of direct, personal application. The focus is on how these teachings can resonate in the middle of a busy workday, within complex relationships, or during moments of quiet doubt. Each episode of this podcast feels like a genuine discussion about integrating contemplative practice into all aspects of life, from physical health and spiritual curiosity to navigating everyday stress. The aim is to move past doctrine and into direct experience, offering practical insights for cultivating resilience, compassion, and a sense of groundedness. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or simply curious about a more mindful approach to fitness, health, and personal growth, Susan's guidance is both accessible and deeply authentic. Tune in for a perspective that values lived understanding over belief, creating space for clarity and an open heart amid the noise.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Buddhism Beyond Belief with Susan Piver
Podcast Episodes
We Dream on Behalf of Others: Presence, Agency, and Staying Sane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
Send us Fan Mail This episode picks up on the sixth principle of spiritual practice from my new book, Inexplicable Magic: Meditation for Mystics: We Dream on Behalf of Others. Meditation protects our minds from the inces…
The Inexplicable Magic of Cleaning Up After Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:20
Send us Fan Mail “The first rule of magic is containment,” said the great Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way and many other books. This points to the idea that the world we live in changes the way our minds and he…
The Importance of Spiritual Boundaries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
Send us Fan Mail The spiritual path asks you to open up, and the more you do so, the more you feel everything: your tenderness, things you’ve been avoiding, your deepest longings. It’s important to stay open to all of th…
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore one of the most persistent misunderstandings about meditation: that it is supposed to make you feel better. From my experience, meditation does not numb heartbreak or smooth ou…
The Way is Personal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I reflect on a recent meditation and writing retreat where participants explored grief, heartbreak, violence, loss, and the experiences that shape us most deeply. I talk about why the pe…
Ritual Sustains Spiritual Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:12
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore why spiritual practice becomes sustainable through ritual, not force. I share the story of a month-long meditation retreat where I discovered an unexpected sense of ease in bot…
Starting Over: Meditation for Mystics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:52
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation in the Open Heart Project sangha about scientific research on meditation. Yes, meditation can improve brain function and mood. But if we stop there, we…
Do Buddhists Pray? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
Send us Fan Mail Here is a new episode after an unexpected pause. I’m moving to a new house and that has stirred disorientation, emotional complexity, and a break from familiar patterns. The truth is, I just didn’t know…
Recap: The Noble Eightfold Path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:53
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I bring all eight steps of the Noble Eightfold Path together. This teaching is a way of living, not a project of self-improvement. This is about how we relate to experience and how that…
The Noble Eightfold Path: Step Eight: Right Samadhi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:29
Send us Fan Mail This week we arrive at the final step of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Samadhi, often translated as concentration or absorption. If the earlier steps help us see clearly and act with intention, this fi…